NBA Rumors on Khris Middleton Contract Buyout, Wizards' Trade Deadline Plans, More

The Washington Wizards may have to settle for a buyout in order to unload Khris Middleton's expiring contract, according to The Athletic's Josh Robbins.

Robbins reported Tuesday the general consensus among his sources is that Middleton will remain in Washington through the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

The three-time All-Star makes $33.3 million this season before hitting free agency in the summer. That's a sizable salary for a player who's averaging 9.8 points and shooting 32.5 percent from three-point range.

Middleton Gets a Bucket

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According to Robbins, the Wizards broadly "remain open to absorbing other teams' multi-year contracts if potential trade partners attach sweeteners such as future draft picks or intriguing young players."

From the standpoint of Middleton, an interested suitor could take on his deal while offloading a long-term commitment. One scenario floated by Robbins was a trade that included Middleton and Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, who has another two years and $70.6 million left if he picks up his 2027-28 player option.

Granted, Middleton is making it tougher to put a move together. Thanks to age and a number of injuries, the 34-year-old is no longer the two-way presence who was instrumental in the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 title. He's not even managing to put up volume stats on a bad team that's rebuilding.

Middleton would presumably get scooped up quickly off the buyout market because the cost to sign him will be much lower than it is now. Otherwise, contenders may not be in a rush to negotiate a swap with Washington.